Bob Crow’s death shocked his fellow union leaders, and drew tributes from his adversaries in politics and industry as well.

Union officials praised Mr Crow as an “outstanding” trade unionist, while opponents said they recognised he always worked hard for his members.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “This is shocking news. Bob was an outstanding trade unionist, who tirelessly fought for his members, his industry and the wider trade union movement.

“He was always a good friend and comrade to me. We will miss him, and our thoughts are with his family and the RMT at this difficult time.”

Labour leader Ed Miliband, said: “Bob Crow was a major figure in the labour movement and was loved and deeply respected by his members.

“I didn’t always agree with him politically but I always respected his tireless commitment to fighting for the men and women in his union. He did what he was elected to do, was not afraid of controversy and was always out supporting his members across the country.

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“He was a passionate defender of and campaigner for safe, affordable public transport and was a lifelong anti-fascist activist.

“My thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues in the RMT and wider union movement at this difficult time.”

Matt Wrack, leader of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “Bob’s passing is very sad news and the thoughts of firefighters will be with his family.

“Bob was a good friend to me personally and to the Fire Brigades Union as a whole.

“He was a strong leader for the labour movement and he’ll be sorely missed by those who knew him.”

London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I’m shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character.

“Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news.

“Bob fought tirelessly for his beliefs and for his members.

“There can be absolutely no doubt that he played a big part in the success of the Tube, and he shared my goal to make transport in London an even greater success. It’s a sad day.”

Manuel Cortes, leader of the TSSA rail union, said: “Bob Crow was admired by his members and feared by employers, which is exactly how he liked it.

“It was a privilege to campaign and fight alongside him because he never gave an inch.”

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka, who sat on the TUC general council with Mr Crow, and shared many platforms with him, said: “We are all absolutely devastated by the news and send our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

“Bob was a tireless fighter for RMT members and working class people and a towering force in the trade union movement.

“Bob was a great friend of PCS and never wavered in his support for us. Today we have lost a friend, a comrade and the greatest union leader of his generation.”

Sir Peter Hendy, London’s Transport Commissioner said: “We are shocked by this terribly sad and unexpected news. Our thoughts are with Bob Crow’s family, friends and all those he represented.”

Network Rail chief executive, Mark Carne, said: “On behalf of everyone at Network Rail, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Bob Crow’s friends and family, as well as the many thousands of RMT members on whose behalf he worked so tirelessly.

“Bob possessed a deep understanding of the rail industry and his contribution to its success was significant, in particular the focus he gave to working with Network Rail on improving passenger and workforce safety.”

Grahame Smith, Scottish TUC general secretary, said: “Everyone at STUC is deeply saddened by the passing of Bob Crow. Since 2002, Bob led his union with courage and distinction and will be greatly missed, not just by his own members but by trade unionists across Scotland and the whole of Britain.

“STUC echoes the request of RMT that everyone should respect the privacy of the friends and family of Bob Crow at this distressing time.”

Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone said Mr Crow fought for his members despite being demonised by the right wing press.

“He fought really hard for his members. The only working-class people who still have well-paid jobs in London are his members.”

The convenor of the RMT parliamentary group, Labour MP John McDonnell, said: “In Bob Crow we have lost one of the finest trade union leaders and socialists our movement has known. I am devastated by this tragic news.”

Left-wing Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn, a member of the RMT parliamentary group, said: “I am very, very sad at the death of Bob Crow. He was a brilliant fighter for working-class justice and rights and a very dedicated opponent of racism and fascism whenever it reared its head.

“It was a pleasure to work with him on anti-war campaigns as well as railway and trade union issues. I have never forgotten travelling to San Francisco with him to speak to the longshoremen’s union or his coming to an event in Islington North to mark my 30 years as an MP. Solidarity and sympathy to his family.”

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB, expressed his “deepest sorrow and regret” at the news, adding: “The loss for members of the RMT is immeasurable. They have lost their champion. The loss to the trade union movement and to the cause of advancing the living standards of working people across the globe is devastating.

“Even people who didn’t like what he did agreed he did it very well. Our thoughts are with Bob’s family and the RMT.

“Bob’s strength, personal integrity and straight forward speaking won many battles for his members. He took his job very seriously and never stopped working. A giant of the labour movement. He is irreplaceable.”

Mick Whelan, general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, said: “This is a sad day not just for the RMT and the rail industry but for the trade union and labour movement.

“It’s a tragedy that he was taken from us at such a young age. Bob always did his best for his members, and the industry in which he worked. Our thoughts, at this sad time, are with his family and all his colleagues in the trade union movement.”

Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: “This is a sad day and I am sure I join my colleagues in other unions and beyond who will be deeply saddened to hear this.

“He was a staunch supporter and advocate of rights for workers and a fairer and more just world for working people. He invested his work with passion, commitment and dedication. He will be missed by his colleagues across the union world.

“Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends”

Conservative MP David Morris, the chairman of the Trade Union Reform Campaign, said: “Bob and I didn’t agree politically, but you have to respect Bob because he did fight hard for his beliefs and for his members.”

Baroness Kramer, Minister of State for Transport, said: ``I want to send my condolences to all of Bob Crow's family and his many colleagues in the transport industry.

“Bob and I worked together on the board of Transport for London and he unfailingly represented the interests of his members.

“But, where he was a tough negotiator, we always found common ground. He was a big figure and I will miss him.”

Unison general secretary, Dave Prentis, said: “I am shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Bob Crow. Unison members will want to send their sympathy to his family and friends.

“Bob was a tough, no-nonsense union leader who always did his best for his members, and it was very much down to his tough stance that their pay and conditions improved.

“Despite all the flak he got, he stood his ground and was a great member of our trade union family. His loss will be felt across the whole trade union movement.”

Communication Workers Union general secretary Billy Hayes said: “Bob Crow was a great leader and he was a great inspiration to rail workers and trade unionists around the world.

“Bob will be greatly missed. He will be remembered for his passion, his commitment and his endless pursuit for social justice. His death is a tragedy and I would like to send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.”